Gary, Lake County-Yesterday evening a traffic stop for a seatbelt violation led a trooper to discover six pounds of marijuana in a vehicle.

At approximately 10:44 p.m., Wednesday December 5th, Indiana State Police Trooper Josh Roa made a traffic stop on a tan 1997 Buick, driven by Jay L. Francis Junior, 23 of Gary, for a seat belt violation at 19th and Hayes Street in Gary. Further investigation revealed a drug store bag containing six individual plastic bags containing approximately one pound of a green leafy plantlike material per bag, which tested positive for marijuana, for a total of six pounds.

Francis was arrested and taken to Lake County Jail for Possession of Marijuana over 30 grams, Dealing Marijuana and Operating While Intoxicated under a Controlled Substance.

This stop is an example of how criminals and illegal drugs are often discovered on traffic stops for simple traffic violations. Anyone with information about illegal drugs can call the Indiana State Police Drug Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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